"Far-reaching are the benefits of right thinking.
You become like you habitually think."
Further thoughts? Leave a comment below.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
Love Jesus More
I just saw a quote by PCD (Phillips, Craig & Dean - Christian musicians):
That statement seriously caught my attention and has captivated my thoughts! Do you pray that way? No matter what else you are praying for, do you preface it with this prayer? This should be my / your daily prayer--for me, for you, and for everyone I pray for! If you pray for healing for someone who is sick, needy, dying, in desperate straits, etc., pray first that he/she will come to love Jesus more! That must be first and foremost, no matter what else the prayer request!
"I pray for nothing more
than for you to love Jesus more."
That statement seriously caught my attention and has captivated my thoughts! Do you pray that way? No matter what else you are praying for, do you preface it with this prayer? This should be my / your daily prayer--for me, for you, and for everyone I pray for! If you pray for healing for someone who is sick, needy, dying, in desperate straits, etc., pray first that he/she will come to love Jesus more! That must be first and foremost, no matter what else the prayer request!
Have you prayed that yet today?
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Garbage In -- Garbage Out
You change what you are and how you think by changing what goes into your mind. If an undesirable or detestable thing enters--kick it right back out the door,and deny it entrance next time it arrives on your doorstep! Take control of what is allowed to dwell in your thoughts!
Monday, January 12, 2015
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
The New Normal
Ahh, it's a new year and, hopefully a new start! For me, today is the first day of "back to normal", but also for me, the question is: "Do I really want to go back to 'normal'"?
What is "normal"? (besides a setting on the dryer)
1. Is "normal" good or not so good?
2. Is "normal" boring or exciting?
3. Is "normal" enjoyable or depressing?
4. Does "normal" feel like freedom or captivity?
5. Does "normal" hurt or heal?
6. Does "normal" drag you down or lift you up
7. Are you looking forward to getting back to normal or dreading it?
I think I would like to start out 2015 with "abnormal"--a cut above last year's "normal", and make that my new "normal". However, making new year's resolutions is usually just a exercise in futility! Maybe I'll try taking one day at a time for this week, trying one new thing each day. (It may work best for me if, at the end of the day, I jot down what I did different that day, so I won't forget!) Then, on Saturday or Sunday, I'll look back through my list and make a note of any progress I made. Repeat the experience the next week, and evaluate again on the next Saturday or Sunday.
Hmmmm...it would be so nice to get to the end of January and find overall, the month was a cut above "normal" for me. What if I repeated the experience in February and each month thereafter for the whole year? What if by the end of 2015 I had a new "normal"? It could happen. It really could! It's up to me.
I'm not going to make a list of all the things I'd like to change about how I do life. I'm just going to make a list of what I actually do differently--today, and tomorrow, and this week, and this month, and this year!
Perhaps it will be a slow start and slow progress, but I'll rejoice over each thing as it happens! Rising above "normal" is definitely possible!
Where do I start? Lord, help me to see it, know it, and do it!!!
What is "normal"? (besides a setting on the dryer)
1. Is "normal" good or not so good?
2. Is "normal" boring or exciting?
3. Is "normal" enjoyable or depressing?
4. Does "normal" feel like freedom or captivity?
5. Does "normal" hurt or heal?
6. Does "normal" drag you down or lift you up
7. Are you looking forward to getting back to normal or dreading it?
I think I would like to start out 2015 with "abnormal"--a cut above last year's "normal", and make that my new "normal". However, making new year's resolutions is usually just a exercise in futility! Maybe I'll try taking one day at a time for this week, trying one new thing each day. (It may work best for me if, at the end of the day, I jot down what I did different that day, so I won't forget!) Then, on Saturday or Sunday, I'll look back through my list and make a note of any progress I made. Repeat the experience the next week, and evaluate again on the next Saturday or Sunday.
Hmmmm...it would be so nice to get to the end of January and find overall, the month was a cut above "normal" for me. What if I repeated the experience in February and each month thereafter for the whole year? What if by the end of 2015 I had a new "normal"? It could happen. It really could! It's up to me.
I'm not going to make a list of all the things I'd like to change about how I do life. I'm just going to make a list of what I actually do differently--today, and tomorrow, and this week, and this month, and this year!
Perhaps it will be a slow start and slow progress, but I'll rejoice over each thing as it happens! Rising above "normal" is definitely possible!
Where do I start? Lord, help me to see it, know it, and do it!!!
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Ah, life!
No posting here for awhile! Life has been busy and fun! Between the times of activities with church and friends, visits with friends far away (coming to us and us going to them), times of illness and recovery, etc., my time is spent with catching up on things that must be done around the house! And, sometimes I just want to rest from everything for awhile.
Overall, life has been good, and we are enjoying it the full! Larry has been doing a lot of traveling on business, and that will continue for awhile. He is usually gone for a full week each time he goes, all over the country. So, it seems like I should have plenty of extra time to write some blog posts, but I tend to fill up my time with other things--either necessary catch-up or focusing on things more fun than blogging.
We are finally in the last year of counting down the months until Larry's retirement. Next April he will complete five years of working for FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) here in Dallas. He's already 65, but his goal is to have five years in with FDIC in order to qualify for some retirement benefits. What comes next after that, we haven't a clue!
We have been praying about God's plan for us when we enter the retirement stage of life, but so far we don't know His leading. We know we would like to travel, but we don't know where we will live. We love it right here, but we also love being near our kids and grandkids. The problem is, both of those families live very far apart (Northwest Montana and Southern California). Yikes! Even if we chose a place half way between them, it would still be an awful long drive to either of them, and we would have to totally start over again with finding a new church and friends. If we stay here, then we will need to choose between staying in our current house, or moving into a retirement community which also looks good to us. It is in a very good location for us, and living there would be lots of fun, but more expensive than staying right where we are.
Choices to make, seeking God's wisdom and direction, enjoying life in the present while thinking ahead as the months are flying by!
Overall, life has been good, and we are enjoying it the full! Larry has been doing a lot of traveling on business, and that will continue for awhile. He is usually gone for a full week each time he goes, all over the country. So, it seems like I should have plenty of extra time to write some blog posts, but I tend to fill up my time with other things--either necessary catch-up or focusing on things more fun than blogging.
We are finally in the last year of counting down the months until Larry's retirement. Next April he will complete five years of working for FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) here in Dallas. He's already 65, but his goal is to have five years in with FDIC in order to qualify for some retirement benefits. What comes next after that, we haven't a clue!
We have been praying about God's plan for us when we enter the retirement stage of life, but so far we don't know His leading. We know we would like to travel, but we don't know where we will live. We love it right here, but we also love being near our kids and grandkids. The problem is, both of those families live very far apart (Northwest Montana and Southern California). Yikes! Even if we chose a place half way between them, it would still be an awful long drive to either of them, and we would have to totally start over again with finding a new church and friends. If we stay here, then we will need to choose between staying in our current house, or moving into a retirement community which also looks good to us. It is in a very good location for us, and living there would be lots of fun, but more expensive than staying right where we are.
Choices to make, seeking God's wisdom and direction, enjoying life in the present while thinking ahead as the months are flying by!
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Passion of the Christ
My friend, Karen, (from Oregon) is visiting with me for a whole week--what a wonderful week we've had together! She just shared this video with me and I am still stunned, in awe of what I have just experienced through this! Please take the time (30 minutes) to watch this video in its entirety. You won't regret it.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Food Poisoning
If you haven't had it, you are truly blessed! I was infected with it a little over a week ago after eating at one of our favorite restaurants--Mediterranean. Spending most of your time in bed may sound like a special treat, for Mothers Day, perhaps, but after one or two days of it, it get's old! Plus, the abdominal pain (make that abominable pain) and bowel cramping is enough to make even a strong person cry after several days of it.
The only upside I can think of is that, even though I've just been lying in bed day after day, the sudden jumping out of bed and running to the bathroom frequently has been exercise for me.
Yesterday, after 3 days of being on an antibiotic and a "sedative" type pill to calm the cramping, the doctor added another antibiotic and replaced the sedative with a different one, since there was no improvement or relief yet. So today is a day and a half later, on the new medicines, and I think, maybe, there is slight improvement, but I'm not sure yet if that is just wishful thinking. I have to call the doc again later today, but I'm not sure yet what I'm going to tell him.
So, if you're bored with your life, and want to try something new, how about food poisoning?
The only upside I can think of is that, even though I've just been lying in bed day after day, the sudden jumping out of bed and running to the bathroom frequently has been exercise for me.
Yesterday, after 3 days of being on an antibiotic and a "sedative" type pill to calm the cramping, the doctor added another antibiotic and replaced the sedative with a different one, since there was no improvement or relief yet. So today is a day and a half later, on the new medicines, and I think, maybe, there is slight improvement, but I'm not sure yet if that is just wishful thinking. I have to call the doc again later today, but I'm not sure yet what I'm going to tell him.
So, if you're bored with your life, and want to try something new, how about food poisoning?
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Dance of the Peacock
Click here to enjoy the show of this stunning white peacock!
He steps and struts and swirls about
We watch in awe as he turns and calls,
He began as a peacock, and is still that today.
His stance is fanciful, his look is proud!
His display is glorious, his voice is loud!
He must be seen, and must be heard!
His desire is strong; and will not be deterred!
He steps and struts and swirls about
As he spreads his fan and gives a shout--
His mating call, his dance of pride,
To display his love and woo his bride.
We watch in awe as he turns and calls,
With graceful feathers that rise and fall.
His winsome beauty was meant to attract.
His Creator made him thus, and that’s a fact!
He began as a peacock, and is still that today.
His species didn’t evolve as others went away.
Males attract females, and their pairing produces
More peacocks with feathers, not monkeys or gooses.
Here's two more peacock pics from my friend, Sandy. She took these pictures in Hawaii.
Monday, April 28, 2014
The Circle of God's Help
I just read something this morning that made me stop and think about the way of life for those who ask God for HIs help: He is the giver of true joy. It starts with hope. When you get hope, you get joy. When you get joy, you get strength. When you get strength, you get more hope . . . and so it goes, on and on, as you look to God for His help in your life.
Want more of this? Look to God more often. Focus on Him throughout your day. Deepen your relationship with Him. It's a "delicious" circle (instead of a vicious circle.)
Friday, April 25, 2014
Like a Good Cup o' Coffee
So glad I have a microwave!
Thinking further on this one:
That's how it is with my relationship with God--
I want to be satisfied to the last drop!
I'm not satisfied with just a "tepid" relationship with God. I want full and deep satisfaction, which requires keeping it hot, not just luke warm!
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Think On These Things . . .
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace with be with you." ~ The Apostle Paul (Philippians 4: 8-9)
